I want to develop my core more by training to do some static gymnastic holds, and I was thinking the elbow lever was a good place to start. Has anyone worked on levers/planches? I'm looking for advice as to how to train them properly and progress without hurting myself from the standpoint of someone who has never done them and needs to work up to the actual hold.

However...for (anterior) core specific training, I think you would be better off doing L-sits, hanging leg raises, and body levers. All you might need to know about those moves and their progressions can be found on drillsandskills.com, beastskills.com and gymnasticbodies.com

Thanks. I'm doing a GTG routine working towards a planche. Decided one goal at a time is best, so I started with the first hold on the link above, which is the frog sit, and I'm working it until I can easily hold it for 30-60 seconds, then I'll move up.

Planche utilizes such small muscles (delts mainly) that they burn out easily. THe few people I've seen that GTG the planche failed miserably. However, GTG front lever/back lever worked fairly well if you can do that. If you can get the planche to work with GTG you have phenomenal recovery and physical ability.. hence my good luck statement.